Chaos at Dakshineswar: Panic Erupts After Overhead Power Line Short Circuit Halts Kolkata Trains

KOLKATA, INDIA — Widespread panic erupted among hundreds of commuters during peak travel hours on Thursday, July 30, 2026 after a sudden short circuit in an overhead traction wire brought train services to a grinding halt near the Dakshineswar railway station. The electrical malfunction triggered loud popping sounds and visible sparks, causing passengers to fear a major fire or explosion.

The incident occurred late in the morning as a packed suburban commuter train was pulling out of the station. According to witnesses, a sudden flash accompanied by a loud bang echoed from the overhead equipment (OHE) lines, followed immediately by a total loss of power to the train tracks.

The abrupt halt and the sight of sparks falling near the railway tracks sent waves of fear through the crowded compartments. Believing the train was catching fire, dozens of panicked passengers began screaming and rushing toward the exit doors, leading to a minor stampede-like situation inside the bogies. Many leaped directly onto the tracks from the stationary train before railway staff and local security personnel could arrive to pacify the crowd.

Railway authorities immediately cut off power to the section as a safety precaution and dispatched a team of technical experts to assess and repair the damaged overhead line. The electrical failure crippled train movements along the busy suburban route, causing consecutive cancellations and severe delays that rippled across the transit network.

As word of the disruption spread, platforms at Dakshineswar and neighboring stations became dangerously overcrowded with thousands of stranded office-goers and daily commuters. Local police and Eastern Railway security forces were deployed to manage the growing crowds, urge patience over the public address systems, and prevent passengers from walking along the active tracks.

Normal train operations were suspended for over an hour while emergency maintenance crews replaced the compromised section of the overhead cable.

Senior railway officials confirmed that no serious injuries or casualties were reported, though several passengers were treated on-site for minor bruises sustained during the initial scramble to exit the train. An official inquiry has been launched into the exact cause of the overhead short circuit, with engineers investigating whether the breakdown was caused by extreme weather wear, insulation degradation, or external interference.